Kingsgate the epitome of little England ?

Kingsgate Avenue traffic problems!

(Rush hour)

Page 4 of the Thanet Gazette, carries a report concerning a new housing development at Kingsgate. Thanet councils decision to approve a plan to build flats in Kingsgate Avenue despite 20 written objections has angered residents. The application for this particular project is in line with the local plan.


It seems to me that the ''local plan''is used as justification in practically every unpopular decision made by our council. But in this instance having made a site visit myself, I find it hard to see how residents can legitimately contest development in this road.


Retired RAF officer, Tom Hindmarsh is quoted as referring to car-parking, traffic congestion, road safety, lowering of the character and environment etc as aspects which should have been taken into consideration by the planning committee rather than just a planning officer with the local council.


Having grown up, in this particular road, little has changed except for the fact that no longer, do there appear to be the hotels and guest houses, that once belonged in Kingsgate Avenue or the old people's home, which is the now a block of flats.


Objections to this development, look like a classic case of ''not in my back yard '', objections concerning car-parking, road safety and traffic congestion look purely spurious (I would suggest the residents of Kingsgate Avenue take a gander down the average Thanet street and get some perspective) as to the character of the area as I mentioned before in the past, there were Hotels , guesthouses, and at least one old people's home, in addition there also used to be a Children's Home at the top of Kingsgate so maybe it is time to put some sort of social diversity back into Kingsgate.


Maybe residents of Kingsgate Avenue should take a look round Percy Avenue and get their traffic worries into perspective.

Percy Avenue